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Belgium Set to Ramp Up Military Spending as International Tensions Escalate.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) has not ruled out the possibility that Belgium may need to make additional defense investments in the short term. The Prime Minister made this statement on February 27, 2025, during a plenary session of the Chamber, in response to questions from nine MPs regarding the latest international developments.
In five years, Belgium modernized its forces through the CAMO program, F-35A acquisition, and naval reinforcements with the Netherlands. (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
This statement comes as the federal government has already committed to increasing the country's military spending to 2% of GDP by 2029, aligning Belgium with NATO’s requirements. Currently, the country is among the Alliance members lagging in defense spending, with a current rate of 1.3% of GDP. However, rapid developments on the international stage could accelerate this process.
Recent international events appear to be driving this budgetary shift. Defense Minister Theo Francken stated in an interview with RTL Info that Belgium should reach the 2% threshold before the NATO summit in The Hague in June. This statement reflects a political will to meet commitments ahead of schedule in response to a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) also emphasized the urgency of increasing military spending quickly, citing discussions on a potential peace agreement in Ukraine and the need for Belgium to ensure its own security. "Our country will take responsibility in this regard, which will likely mean a short-term increase in defense spending," he stated.
Regarding Ukraine, Bart De Wever confirmed having received a briefing from French President Emmanuel Macron during a European Council videoconference on Tuesday. This meeting followed discussions between Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump. Without disclosing the exact content of the discussion, De Wever reiterated three key points of the European stance: the continuation of support for Ukraine, the necessity of lasting peace involving both Kyiv and the European Union, and the need for increased European defense investments.
The Belgian Prime Minister reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to ensuring its own security as soon as possible, an objective that, according to him, may require immediate additional financial efforts. "Europe must fully guarantee its own security as soon as possible," he stated. "Therefore, additional short-term efforts cannot be ruled out."
Furthermore, De Wever pointed to concerns regarding potential trade tariff threats, stating that "these should worry us." He called on Belgian and European leaders to remain united and take a firm stance in favor of a strong and cohesive Europe within the Western bloc.
A European summit scheduled for March 6 is expected to define the Union’s position on these strategic issues. In the meantime, Belgium continues to assess its options for rapidly increasing its military budget while ensuring that this increase aligns with regional and international security needs.
Over the past five years, the Belgian Armed Forces have made significant investments to modernize their capabilities. The CAMO (Capacité Motorisée) program, in partnership with France, has led to the acquisition of 382 Griffon armored vehicles and 60 Jaguar armored reconnaissance vehicles, enhancing mobility and force protection. Additionally, Belgium signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the purchase of 34 F-35A fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of F-16s, marking a transition to fifth-generation combat aviation.
Other initiatives have also been implemented, particularly in the naval sector, with the acquisition of two new M-class frigates and six minehunters in collaboration with the Netherlands. These procurements aim to maintain Belgium’s anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare capabilities. In the fields of cybersecurity and space defense, increasing investments have been made to strengthen digital resilience and satellite surveillance, notably through partnerships with NATO and the European Space Agency.
Belgium has also reinforced its participation in NATO and European Union missions, with an increased commitment on NATO’s eastern flank and a continuous presence in multinational forces in Romania and the Baltic states. These efforts reflect an adaptation to evolving threats and a more assertive strategic positioning within Western alliances.